New films from The Lantern Showcase

We’re in the process of uploading films from the Lantern Society Showcase from last Saturday 5th March.

Though the regular Lantern Society nights can be a bit hit and miss on the talent stakes as they work their way through the 30 or so acts that turn up to play in an evening, their showcases are always guaranteed to be pure talent and a real treat on the ears.

Following their last showcase in January which boasted a spellbinding acoustic headline set from Romeo and Angela from the Magic Numbers, this Saturday was equally rich in sounds with the hugely talented Hank Dogs making a welcome comeback.  The thinly-veiled tensions on stage between Andy and Piano left over from their years together were endearing and intriguing and added an intimacy to their performance as they aimed lyrics at each other with accusatory looks and entwined their always complimentary guitar and vocal styles around each other.  We filmed the majority of their set to share with you, so click through on the link below and check our YouTube site for other tracks from their set.  More will be coming in good time so check back and watch the full show.

There were also quality performances from Simon Stanley Ward,  Greg Harrisburg, Joe Wilkes and our recently featured Pete Greenwood, performing songs from his new album as well as some fantastic covers of Ryan Adams and Townes van Zandt, some of which we also caught on film and will follow shortly.

Headlining was Lantern co-organiser Benjamin Folke Thomas and his full band who put on a suitably energetic and rambunctious performance for a Saturday night.  The Oliver Reed of the London folk scene, Ben and his band punched out some of their classics to a more than willing audience, almost too much for some, as one audience member got sick and had to be assisted from the crowded basement.  We witnessed a similar reaction at a recent BFT band outing as someone developed a nosebleed as the band cranked it up.  Is this a sign of things to come? “Nosebleed country”?

We also caught most of the BFT Band’s show on film and have uploaded highlights for you to check out.

The Lantern Society continues to run as usual, 1st & 3rd Thursday of every month at the Betsey Trotwood. The next Lantern showcase which will be part of the Camden Crawl on the 30th April 2011.  More news here nearer the time or check their site for details.

There’s also a Lantern Radio feature coming up on the 12th April on Bob’s Folk Show featuring club favourites and regulars.  Keep an eye on our featured listing for more info.

Best heckle of the evening: A request for ’10th Avenue Freeze Out’ from sick-boy.  Got the thumbs up from us.  Judgement clearly not totally impaired by booze.

Why are we called Notes From Mt.Pleasant?

Mount Pleasant is a small part of London at the very southern borders of Islington. Supposedly ironically named after the heaps of rubbish dumped there in days of yore, nowadays the area is dominated by the large postal sorting office. The surrounding streets are populated by little pubs and bars where we regularly enjoy some truly wonderful music.

This is where many of our paths first crossed, originally through Alan Tyler’s Come Down & Meet the Folks, hosted at The Apple Tree on Mount Pleasant, or just down the road, partaking in the wonderful hospitality and music at the Betsey Trotwood served up by their fabled friendly staff and owners.

It’s an area that brought us all together and we hope it’ll be a place you can come and share.  There’s plenty of room!  So pull up a comfy chair, and enjoy the show.

Notes From Mt.Pleasant it is. We like it and hope you do too. Come join us x